Where to Stay in Rotterdam (7 Best Places & Areas)

7 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Rotterdam

Rotterdam wraps around the river Nieuwe Maas, east of the city’s industrial harbor, with other villages and towns nestled right on its borders. While it stretches both north and south of the river, you will want to stick to its northern parts. All of these areas are easy to reach on foot or by public transport.

Rotterdam Center

👉 Best Area For First-Timers | ✨ Best Rotterdam Center Hotels: Hotel Âme • The James • Rose Hotel Het Park

Unlike most Dutch cities, Rotterdam’s center is characterized by modern architecture, as most most of its historical buildings were destroyed during World War II. Sights like the famous Erasmus Bridge and the Euromast intermingle with Renaissance and neoclassical homes.

Besides its unique contrast between old and new, its central location makes it the perfect introduction to the Netherlands’ second-largest city.

Consider staying at Hotel Âme. With its meticulously designed rooms, it makes for the perfect pick. The hotel is just around the corner from the lively bars of the historical Witte de Withstraat and within walking distance of the Museumpark (where the Depot pictured above is bound to blow your mind).

The James is another luxurious-looking option right in Rotterdam’s heart. Just make sure to venture further than its neighboring shopping district, the Koopgoot, as the city has a lot more to offer.

Pros of Staying in Rotterdam Center:

• Central location & close to main attractions
• Vibrant bars and nightlife around the Witte de Withstraat
• Despite the lack of a historical center, there is a lot of history to be discovered
• Interesting architecture

Cons of Staying in Rotterdam Center:

• The modern areas, like the Koopgoot, can be less social and even deserted at night
• It can be a lot busier than other parts due to the many tourist attractions

Stadsdriehoek

👉 Best Area For Budget Travelers & Backpackers | ✨ Best Stadsdriehoek Hotels: Stayokay Hostel • Motel One • CitizenM Rotterdam • Wikkelboats at Wijnhaven  

Stadsdriehoek is where Rotterdam’s industrial character flourishes, in a cool way. Walking down the Leuvehaven takes you past several cranes, a lighthouse, and the Maritime Museum. The Old Harbor with Het Witte Huis on the other hand, lets you peek into medieval times.

With so many incredible sights, you’d think accommodation here would be pricey, but did you know you can stay in one of Rotterdam’s most unique buildings on a budget? Within the famous yellow cube homes, you can find the Stayokay Hostel, which offers rooms and dorms in fun geometric shapes. 

But the rest of Stadsdriehoek is also ideal for budget travelers and backpackers. It offers budget-friendly hotels like CitizenM and affordable restaurants and bars. The Markthal takes the cake when it comes to both design and cheap, yet delicious, bites.

Pros of Staying in Stadsdriehoek:

• Most of the tourist attractions are within walking distance
• Lots of affordable hotels and hostels
• Many great restaurants and bars

Cons of Staying in Stadsdriehoek:

• It can be very crowded and busy with tourists
• Beware of pickpockets around the main attractions

Blijdorp

👉 Best Area For Families | ✨ Best Blijdorp Hotels: Herenhuis in het stadscentrum • Bed & Breakfast Walenburg • Van der Valk Hotel Rotterdam – Blijdorp • Rotterdam Inn

Blijdorp is a Walhalla for young families in Rotterdam, and the number one place to stay with kids. The neighborhood is small, but there are plenty of hip coffee shops, brunch spots, and boutiques for parents to keep themselves entertained as their kids frolic around the myriad playgrounds and green spaces. 

The most notable of these green spaces is the romantic Vroesenpark, with the Vroesenpaviljoen being the perfect spot to let your kids run around. Its namesake zoo, Diergaarde Blijdorp, however, cannot be missed when traveling with kids. Stay at the neighboring Van der Valk Hotel to be the first ones to enter the zoo, before the masses arrive.

Lastly, Blijdorp is also bound to take you back to Rotterdam before World War II. 

The Statensingel and Spoorsingel showcase a meandering canal lined with willows and historical homes. One of the best is Herenhuis in het stadscentrum. Besides being gorgeous, the spacious rooms and the ability to cook are perfect when traveling with family. 

Pros of Staying in Blijdorp:

• Plenty of green spaces and playgrounds for kids to play in
• Easy to walk to downtown
• The calm and peaceful atmosphere makes this place feel extra safe

Cons of Staying in Blijdorp:

• Fewer hotel options than in more touristy areas
• Fewer restaurants as well, although the ones that are there are amazing

Oude Noorden

👉 Best Area For Returning Visitors & Vibrant Atmosphere | ✨ Best Oude Noorden Hotels: Man Met Bril Koffie Hotel • Sfeervol guesthouse • Appartement Rotterdam Noord

Oude Noorden is Rotterdam’s up-and-coming neighborhood. Over the past couple of years, local business owners have transformed the area into a vibrant district. It now offers great coffee, fabulous restaurants, and boutique vintage stores where locals love to hang out on a Saturday.

Its lively, yet local, atmosphere makes it the area to stay in for returning visitors. If you have seen most of Rotterdam’s main attractions and want to dive deeper into city life, wandering around the Zwanenhalskwartier should be next on your list. Firstserved Vintage, Emma’s Bookstore, and De Brunch Club are just a few of this area’s gems. 

The number one hotel that encapsulates Oude Noorden’s spirit is Man Met Bril Koffie Hotel, the world’s first coffee hotel. They not only have beautiful rooms, but also a coffee roastery, a coffee bar, and a restaurant. 

Pros of Staying in Oude Noorden:

• Vibrant atmosphere with lots of great stores
• A great place to experience local life
• Many interesting and delicious bars and restaurants
• Well-connected to the rest of the city via public transport

Cons of Staying in Oude Noorden:

• Fewer hotel options than in the city center
• No major attractions or sights nearby

Delfshaven & Oude Westen

👉 Best Area For Art & History Lovers | ✨ Best Delfshaven & Oude Westen Hotels: Supernova Hotel • De Buitenkans • B&B Maasview • Middelland Hotel • Morgan & Mees 

With its many bridges crossing the canal, old stone houses, and the Korenmolen in the distance, the Old Harbor of Delfshaven makes you feel like you walked into a Dutch Renaissance painting. With so many tales of yore to tell, this former harbor town is a history lover’s paradise.

But art and culture enthusiasts will come to love Delfshaven and Oude Westen too. Oude Westen is one of Rotterdam’s multicultural neighborhoods, with a good variety of restaurants and hip stores. The rest of the West is home to alternative spaces and cultural hubs like Keile District. Here, you can visit many exhibitions or grab a drink at the Keile Café.

Stay at De Buitenkans to match this area’s alternative nature. From boats to tiny homes and caravans, this campground overlooking the river offers unique cabins to stay in. If you prefer to stay in luxury in multicultural Oude Westen, then I recommend the boutique hotel Morgan & Mees. 

Pros of Staying in Delfshaven & Oude Westen:

• Lots of beautifully designed hotels that are reasonably priced
• Many great bars and restaurants 
• Lots of historical sights have stood the test of time

Cons of Staying in Delfshaven & Oude Westen:

• Further away from the main sights in the center 
• More spread out than other areas, meaning you need a bike or public transport to get around

Kop van Zuid & Katendrecht

👉 Best Area For Foodies & Luxury | ✨ Best Kop van Zuid & Katendrecht Hotels: ss Rotterdam by WestCord • Hotel New York • Room Mate Bruno • Bed, Bites & Business Hotel 

Wandering through Kop van Zuid and Katendrecht makes you wonder whether you landed in NYC or Rotterdam. It offers skyscrapers, warehouses, and the appropriately named Hotel New York, whose rooms have majestic views of the river and the city.

While you can hop on a cruise from the Rotterdam Cruise Terminal or stay on a former HAL ship at the ss Rotterdam by WestCord, these two areas are great for travelers looking for good food. Wandering around Deliplein gets your mouth watering for sure. At the Foodhallen food court, you can sample Vietnamese, Korean, and Italian dishes, to name a few. 

Those wanting a little bit of luxury are also at the right place, with the Bed, Bites & Business Hotel offering comfortable beds in industrially designed rooms. 

Pros of Staying in Kop van Zuid & Katendrecht:

• Lots of great restaurants that offer diverse food experiences 
• Luxurious hotels at an affordable price point
• Well connected to the city center by public transport and the Erasmus Bridge

Cons of Staying in Kop van Zuid & Katendrecht:

• It can get very windy as it is a peninsula in the middle of the river

Kralingen

👉 Best Area For Local Life | ✨ Best Kralingen Hotels: Hotel Slaak • The Social Hub • d’Ouwe Moer Apartment

Stately homes, a lake filled with sailboats, and a botanical garden great for Sunday strolls: Kralingen is Rotterdam’s most idyllic neighborhood. Many families agree with this assessment and have made this area their home over the past couple of years, spending their time at the restaurants and parks. 

Kralingen’s residential nature also makes it the best area to experience local life. While there are not many tourist attractions around, you can spend your days exploring the Trompenburg Gardens, getting a coffee and croissant at Jordy’s Bakery, or walking among the treetops of the Kralingse Bos at the Klimbos. 

For the full immersive experience, I recommend staying at d’Ouwe Moer Apartment. Its classic yet maximalist design is a sight in itself. If you prefer not having to make your own breakfast, though, then boutique Hotel Slaak is a great option.

Pros of Staying in Kralingen:

• Quiet residential area perfect for a relaxed stay
• Well connected to the center by public transport
• The Kralingse Plas and Bos will make you feel like you are closer to nature

Cons of Staying in Kralingen:

• As it is largely residential, there are fewer hotels around
• While the public transport is good, walking to the center will take a while

Tips for Staying in Rotterdam

Go On a Street Art Tour

Rotterdam is full of amazing street art. Its industrial vibe and innovative nature have prompted artists to paint its walls in colorful murals. So, doing a street art tour like this one is an absolute must. 

Use Public Transport

While most attractions in the city center are walkable, some areas of Rotterdam are quite spread out. Using its public transport, which consists of bus, tram and metro lines, is both easy and affordable. 

Ride and Sail the Amphibious Bus

Rotterdam’s amphibious bus not only takes you on a city tour on wheels, but into the water as well. Even though it is one of the more touristy things to do, there is nothing quite like it. 

Pack an Umbrella and Raincoat

With 197 rainy days a year, there is a good chance you will encounter a storm on your trip to the Netherlands. Packing an umbrella (preferably a stormproof one, as it gets windy) and a raincoat is a must for those dreary days.

Always Leave a Tip

While salaries do not rely on it in the Netherlands, tipping for good service is often expected. Rounding up your bill is a good rule of thumb. Tip more if you enjoyed the food and/or service, and keep it low if you just had one drink.

Don’t Walk on the Cycling Path

The Netherlands is full of cycling paths, often demarcated by red tarmac, a painted bicycle on the road, or a blue bicycle sign beside the road. 

Walking on these paths is dangerous for both you and the cyclist, so always check where you are walking and do not assume cyclists will stop for you when crossing the road, even when you have priority. 

FAQs about Rotterdam

What are the best areas to stay in Rotterdam for first-timers?

The city center and Stadsdriehoek are arguably the best places to stay for first-timers. Besides harboring most of the main sights, there are plenty of hotels to choose from and restaurants to stay at.

These two areas can feel overwhelming and chaotic, however. For the first-time visitor looking for a quieter yet well-located area, I would recommend Oude Noorden. Its hip cafés and shops have a friendly character that will make you feel right at home, while being fairly close to the main sights and train station.

What are safe areas to stay in Rotterdam?

Overall, Rotterdam is a safe city. There are no neighborhoods that you should avoid at all times, but some areas are safer than others according to the crime rates. Kralingen is by far the safest area with lots of social control. 

The more touristy areas like the Rotterdam Center or Stadsdriehoek attract more pickpockets, whereas the areas south of the Maas, like Charlois and Feijenoord, have higher crime rates. Some areas to avoid are the Marconiplein at night, and the Claes de Vrieselaan for women. But general safety precautions will generally get you around the city safely. 

What are the best parts of Rotterdam to stay with kids? 

Blijdorp is by far the best place to stay in Rotterdam with kids. The Vroesenpark is the perfect spot to take your kids to after a day of exploring, and Diergaarde Blijdorp, the zoo, is a must-see for any young family. Furthermore, there are plenty of apartments and holiday homes around for you to rent, so you can make sure every family member gets their space.

What are the best parts of Rotterdam for a long stay? 

Kralingen, Blijdorp, and Oude Noorden are the best places in Rotterdam for a longer stay. Each of these areas has plenty of apartments on offer and has a more residential nature than Rotterdam Center, for example. These areas are also a lot greener and allow you to dive deeper into local life, which is perfect when you plan on staying longer. 

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Thanks for reading my guide on where to stay in Rotterdam! If you’ll be visiting Amsterdam as well, then check out my guide on where to stay in Amsterdam next. Have a question? Drop it in the comments!